$5
in 1890 →
$132.11
in 2018

Inflation Calculator

U.S. Inflation Rate, 1890-2018 ($5)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, the dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 2.59% per year.
Prices in 2018 are
2542.2% higher than
prices in 1890.

In other words, $5 in the year 1890 is equivalent in purchasing power to $132.11 in 2018, a difference of $127.11 over 128 years.

Compared to last year's annual rate, the inflation rate in 2018 is now 1.95%1. If this number holds, $5 today would be equivalent to $5.10 next year.
The current inflation rate page gives more detail on the latest official inflation rates.

Inflation rates for specific categories

Inflation-adjusted measures

News headlines from 1890

Politics and news often influence economic performance. Here's what was happening at the time:

Alice Sanger becomes the White House’s first female employee.

The Forth Bridge (Scotland), becomes the longest bridge in Great Britain: it is officially opened by the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII).

Wilhelm II, the German emperor, removes Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck.

First electric chair execution is performed on murderer William Kemmler at Auburn Prison in New York.

Inflation Data Source

Raw data for these calculations comes from
the Bureau of Labor Statistics'
Consumer Price Index
(CPI), established in 1913. Inflation data from 1665 to
1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science
professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University.

You may use the following MLA citation for this page:
“$5 in 1890 → 2018 | Inflation Calculator.” U.S. Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 24 May. 2018, https://www.officialdata.org/1890-dollars?amount=5.